JACK SIMMONS has called for English cricket to go back to the future with a 40 overs National League tournament.

As Lancashire faced up to Hampshire at Old Trafford today, the Red Rose chairman bemoaned the changes made at various times to the league format and harked back with affection to the days of 40 overs and 2pm starts.

"It worked well like that, and I think it would now," said Simmo, who was a key member of Lancashire's Kings of One Day Cricket side who won the league under its original format in 1969 and 1970.

"The Twenty/20 Cup was introduced last year and was a roaring success. We had massive crowds, a lot of them were families new to the game.

"At the moment we start the league matches at 1pm and they are 45 overs each. I don't think that's logical. It's too early and too long, especially for modern day kids.

"The league has been changed too much. It was extended to 50 overs just to make it compatible with international one-day cricket, but that was just to help the 20 or so England cricketers.

"When that failed, it was reduced to 45 overs as a bit of a compromise and I don't think that's right."

Simmons has been elected to an advisory committee which will look at the future of English cricket and, hopefully, will bridge the gap between those demanding radical reform and the counties who fear they will be destroyed by changes.

The county chairmen have already rejected the Professional Cricketers' Association's call for one overseas star per club, and a move to cut promotion/relegation from three clubs to two.

And they are also resisting a scheme for 12 championship matches rather than 16 to provide more time for rest, injury treatment and practice.